Attention teachers and students interested in participating in the 29th Congressional District Arts Competition: Now is the time to start thinking about your entry!  Congressman Schiff will host the annual arts competition at the world-famous Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens on May 8, 2006. 

This is a unique opportunity for one student from the 29th Congressional District to have their artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol. 

For competition rules and deadlines contact the Pasadena office at (626) 304-2727.

WORKSHOP: CONSCIOUSNESS SKILLS FOR SUCCESS
The Reverend Margaret Shepherd used to live in Glendale but now lives in Virginia. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of her work while she is in town

Are you still stuck? Where is your success blocked - business, career, relationships, money, health? You deserve better. Stop blaming, analyzing and struggling. Success happens not because you create the right circumstances but because you create the right consciousness. You build success by building Success Consciousness.

This Clinic shows you how. We'll teach you the simple metaphysics, the spiritual principles and the skills that build the consciousness guaranteed to build your success!  This day is packed with powerful content, so show up ready to work and willing to change!

Sunday March 12, 3:45-8:30 pm. $79 includes dinner.  Shakers. 601 Fair Oaks, S. Pasadena, CA 91030. Limited to 25 WILLING Visionbuilders! Pre-paid only. Deadline 3-1-06. Credit cards via Paypal at www.reverendmargaret.com . Checks to SpiritSong, 4201 Wilson Blvd, suite 110-246. Arlington, VA 22203 Email questions to revshep@usa.net

EDUCATION - DOES LAUSD NEED OVERHAULING?
Read on and you be the judge: There has been debate over the accuracy of the graduation rates cited by the Mayor, the Harvard Civil Rights Project ("Harvard Study"), LAUSD, the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), and other sources. Dropout rate aside, we hope these statistics make the case for dramatic change in the governance of our public schools.

1. In 2005, 86% of fourth graders were not proficient in reading.

2. In 2005, 87% of eighth graders were not proficient in reading.

3. In 2005, 81% of fourth graders were not proficient in math.

4. In 2005, 89% of eighth graders were not proficient in math.

5. In 2005, only 26% of 11th graders were proficient in the English Language Arts.

6. 81% of middle school students are in schools that are failing.

7. 66% of high schools students are in schools that are failing.

8. 61% of 9th graders who took beginning algebra in fall of 2004 got Ds and Fs.

9. 97% of 10th graders are not proficient in algebra. and last, but not least,

10. In the 2004-05 school year, the school board employed a staff of 112 and a budget of $14.6 million.

A WOMAN AS UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL?
At the end of this year, the second term of Koffi Annan as the UN Secretary General comes to an end. As can still often be heard in corporate corridors, the cry of "there's no qualified women" when asked about considering a woman for the position. Not so. The following list was submitted to the UN for consideration. You can help. See below for where to write to John Bolton, the US Representative to the UN. And let him know that you want to see a woman as the new Secretary General. A sampling of qualified women:

• Louise Arbour (Canada), UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Former Supreme Court Justice
• Michelle Bachelet Jeria (Chile), Former Minister of Defense, Former Minister of Health - now President
• Carolina Barco Isakson (Colombia), Foreign Minister
• Gro Harlem Brundtland (Norway), Former Prime Minister, Former WHO Director-General
• Silvia Cartwright (New Zealand), Governor General
• Helen Clark (New Zealand), Prime Minister
• Tarja Halonen (Finland), President
• Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (Liberia), President, Former UN Assistant Secretary-General
• Thoraya Obaid (Saudi Arabia), Executive Director, UNFPA
• Elizabeth Odio Benito (Costa Rica), ICC Vice President, Former Vice President
• Sadako Ogata (Japan), Former UN High Commissioner for Refugees
• Navanethem Pillay (South Africa), ICC Judge, Former UN ICTR President
• Nafis Sadik (Pakistan), Former Executive Director, UNFPA
• Aung San Suu Kyi (Burma), Prime Minister-Elect
• Leticia Shahani (Philippines), Former Senate President, Former UN Assistant Secretary-General
• Mervat Tallawy (Egypt), Executive Secretary, ESCWA
• Anna Tibaijuka (Tanzania), Executive Secretary, UN-Habitat
• Vaira Vike-Freiberga (Latvia), President Recommended Actions

Please write to John Bolton urging him to seek qualified women candidates and support the election of a woman to the post of Secretary-General.  Recall the commitment made in the Beijing Platform for Action, and repeated in annual General Assembly resolutions to achieve gender balance at all levels of the United Nations Secretariat.  Note that the upcoming election of the most senior UN post represents a unique opportunity to honor this commitment.

USA : HE John Bolton, 140 East 45th St, NY, NY 10017, Fax: +1 212-415-4053, Email: usa@un.int http://www.equalitynow.org/english/actions/action_1102_en.html

CHOCOLATE - BUY WELL AND ENJOY!
Thanks to Teresa Bailey, Artist, Technology Educator and Consultant:

When you feed your chocolate habit, make sure you get the right kind of chocolate. The big three chocolate makers -- M&M/Mars, Hershey's and Nestle's -- all use Ivory Coast cocoa. Therefore, any chocolate you buy from them, no matter how pure environmentally, is potentially tainted by slave labor. The chocolate to look for is organic and "Fair Trade" -- and bears labels certifying both.

The organic label verifies that the cacao was farmed in an environmentally sustainable way, while the Fair Trade label guarantees that farmers were paid a minimum price for their product. Without Fair Trade guarantees, small cacao growers are at the mercy of the market. When world cacao prices dip too low, as they have these past 10 years, growers can't make a living wage. Not only is that unacceptable from a human rights perspective, it also increases the likelihood that they'll shift their land to more profitable -- and destructive -- uses, such as cattle ranching. Organic, Fair Trade chocolate is easy to find online. Just point your browser to one of the sites recommended under "Resources." To find it in the physical world, try the Whole Foods chain or a local gourmet or health food store. Now that you know what to get, go make yourself happy -- and do your part to save the rainforest, one delicious bite at a time. Sheryl Eisenberg (excerpted from  This Green Life - thisgreenlife@nrdcaction.org )

EVENTS
Saturday, March 4th , 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
U.S. Policies & Their Impact on Women Throughout the World
Thanks to Kimberly Yang for this:
Reproductive Rights Coalition of L.A. presents their International Women's Day program: Increase networks and collaboration among women working in the health, environmental, violence and labor movements Strengthen communications between international and domestic organizations working towards justice for women, and Share successful strategies of increasing social justice for women and girls Foshay Learning Center, 3751 So. Harvard Blvd., Los Angeles 90018, 2 blocks West USC
For more information and to register, email Bethany.leal@cwlc.org

Saturday, March 4th, 8:00 p.m. 
Vagina Monologues - As part of the V-Day worldwide campaign, Vagina Monologues will be presented to benefit Haven House at the Church of Truth in Pasadena. (626-795-6905) Tickets are $20 Wednesday, March 8th, 6:30 p.m.  International Women's Day Community workshop to create an annual event in Pasadena to celebrate International Women's Day.  It is celebrated around the world, yet in America it receives very little recognition.  Join us as we honor the role of women in the Global Community and together create an annual local legacy to all women. Cafe Culture  1359 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena There is no charge for this event.

Thursday, March 9 th 11:30 a.m. -1:30p.m.
Jewels of Glendale The Glendale Commission on the Status of Women will host their Second Annual Jewels of Glendale Awards and luncheon. The First Ladies of Glendale will be a highlight of the event as well as awards to two special "Jewels". For reservation and more information call Lana Lott at 818-548-4844 or email her at llott@ci.glendale.ca.us

Saturday, March 11th, 7:00 p.m. 
"Not Your Grandma's Bingo Night!" Featuring The Fabulous Bridget of Madison County and Bingo Boy, Plus Playgirl Magazine's Man of the Year and National Rugby Champion Jerry Banks. "One of the hottest, most dangerous things to do at night" Los Angeles Magazine 7:00 Registration. Pizza, Hot dogs, Popcorn and Beverages available 8:00 Games Begin!

Suggested Donation: $20 per person for 11 games - 11 chances to win great prizes including Passes to Disneyland; Night at the Glendale Hilton; Dinner at Favorite Place, Nano's Café, La Cabanita; Yoga at YogaKingdom, Make-over; Cosmetics, Golf Club, Vogue Limousine Service, Trader Joe's gift certificate, Estrellita's Floral Arrangement, Pass to Sports Club LA. and more Throop Church, 300 So. Los Robles, Pasadena

This fun event is filling up fast! Call or email today to reserve your place - info@Fifty/Fifty.us 818.243.2322 Proceeds from the event go to support the programs of Fifty/Fifty Leadership www.Fifty/Fifty.us

Thursday, March 16 th , 6:30 p.m.
Forum on Open Government The Glendale/Burbank chapter of the League of Women Voters will hold a forum at the Glendale Central Library. Barbara Blinderman and Glendale City Councilman are among the speakers. Glendale Central Library. There is no charge for this event.

Sunday, March 19, 2:00 - 4:00
Gender and The Workplace: What You Really Need To Know The Friends of the Pasadena Women 's Commission will host a panel of speakers : Dr. Gerda Govine-Ituarte, Gender Issues Expert Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Author & Psychologist Ellen Snortland, Author & Playwright. T he moderator will be Yesceni Ramirez, V.P. Wescom Credit Union. Flintridge Retreat Center, 236 Mountain Street, Suite 118, Pasadena, CA 91103. For more information contact Gerda Govine-Ituarte (626) 564-0502. There is no charge for this event.

Thursday, March 30, 11:30 - 1:30
"The New Basic Black" by Karen E. Hudson Community Women of San Gabriel Valley presents Karen Hudson speaking about her new book, The New Basic Black. Suzy Moser of the Huntington Library will also speak about upcoming events and interesting facts about the Huntington. $40 per person includes lunch. The Huntington Library, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino

Sunday, April 2 nd , 3:00 p.m.
Naomi Ackerman's one woman show, Flowers Aren't Enough Sponsored by Avon and benefiting Haven House. Tickets are $50 or 2 for $75, so bring a friend, or partner. (626-564-8880)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
This is a great publication! 
Brenda J. Trainor, Consultant

Great Special Edition 
Joyce Morrissey, Feminist, Insurance Agent and International BPW Member

EDITOR'S COMMENTS
This edition is a little early this month because I am leaving for New York to be a delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The next edition will include a report on that Commission.

FINAL WORDS
Thanks to Joyce Morrissey, Feminist, Insurance Agent and International BPW Member:

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy  and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. 
They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

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